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Sunday, July 29, 2012

QC Regulates Use of Plastic Bags

The Quezon City Government has enacted Ordinance #2140 otherwise known as the "Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance"
. Instead of outright banning the use of plastic bags, the government
has implemented a scheme that will reduce the use of plastic bags in the
city. The plan is to change the mindset of the consumers to bring
their own reusable bags when they make their purchases in all shops
including supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacy,
department stores as well as the wet markets.
The aim of the
government is to reduce the trash being thrown into the landfill. As
cited in the Ordinance, the city produces some 700 cu. m. or about
forty five 10-wheeler truck load of plastic bags alone which are being
dumped in the Payatas landfill per day.

A total ban on plastic is not the best solution to the garbage problem. According to www.reuseit.com, paper is better than plastic is a myth.
Forcing people to shift to using paper bags will not reduce the trash
produced but will actually increase costs as well as increase the
cutting of trees. You can read more on the Paper Chase from the Ecology Global Network .

In
the implementation which takes effect starting on August, 2012, the
government is imposing a "plastic recovery system fee" of P2.00 to the
consumer who do not bring their own reusable bags or redeem "used
plastic bags". The P2.00 is charged on each plastic bag, regardless of
size. The collected amount will be put into a Green Fund which can
then be used in the store's green projects.

For the mechanics,
consumers are to bring their own bags to used for their shopping. They
can bring reusable bags or old plastic bags. The old plastic bags can
be redeemed with the store ie. they will be replaced with new ones for
use of their current purchase. If however the consumer does not bring a
bag, and would require their purchase to be put into one, they will be
charged P2.00 for each bag.